I’ve
been hesitant to write this review since my reaction to Spy (2015) has largely been due to the overwhelmingly positive response
to this very mediocre comedy. It’s not anyone involved with this film’s fault
that currently on Rotten Tomatoes, Spy(2015) has a 92% freshness rating(that’s 4% points
shy of the Godfather Part II )or that
the Village
Voice recently published a top ten of 2015 list including Spy(2015).
Spy (2015) isn’t an awful movie and it genuinely
made me chuckle a few times. Jason Statham shines playing an over the top parody
of the uber masculine James Bond cold war era super spy. The transporter unexpectedly
delivers several timely laughs in this bland comedy.
One of
the biggest failures of this film is in its narrative. I couldn’t figure out if
Melisa McCarthy’s character was supposed to be a lovable but bumbling spy or
super spy in the making who never got her shot at the big time. The film’s
dialogue seems to points to the later while McCarthy’s slap stick comedy points
to the former. I wonder if perhaps the filmmakers thought making Ms. McCarthy’s
character an inept spy would be misogynistic. If they didn’t crowbar in the
idea of the main character being a super spy Melissa McCarthy’s character repeatedly
engaging in slap stick hijinks would make a lot more sense. Her characters repeated
gaffs point to her being an inept covert operative but
the film’s exposition would lead us to believe otherwise.
Spy (2015) is a decent film that makes
for a fine weekend rental. I apologize if my review comes off overly negative.
Frankly this review is a victim of the overwhelmingly positive press this film
received. It’s like if you told me Point
Break (1991) is one of the best films of 1991. Point Break (1991) is a totally watchable film, I happen to enjoy
the movie very much. However, when you start rating it with the best films of
that year like Silence of the Lambs
(1991) or Terminator 2 (1991) I’m
going to have to ask you to pump the breaks and take the film down a peg or
two.
2 out 5 transporters 
A few comedies that aren’t rated as fresh as Spy (2015) on rotten tomatoes
The Jerk (1979)
Bridesmaids (2011)
Animal House (1978)
Everything You Always
Wanted to Know About Sex* (1972)
Step Brothers (2008)
